Haitham Manna to Al-Ahram: Geneva a Waste of Time
The Syrian Observer
February 18, 2014
Manna spoke to Muhammad Shuaair via telephone about Geneva and the Coalition
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Manna spoke to Muhammad Shuaair via telephone about Geneva and the Coalition
Is the ‘Free World’ truly interested in ending this conflict? Or is it a mere face-saving exercise?
If the meetings end on Saturday, Brahimi may resign
Negotiations were held between the Coalition’s team on behalf of Washington, and that of the the regime’s, which only says what Moscow wants
The U.S. and Russia have agreed on what’s needed, but it is up to the Syrian parties to find out how to get there
Demands include greater representation from the armed and political forces which did not participate in the first round
The fact that the Sunnis are a clear majority in Syria is not a major obstacle to reaching a power-sharing agreement similar to the Taif Accord of 1989
The failure of the Geneva talks should serve as a lesson for the opposition to redraw its strategy
Western officials are seeking concessions on the delivery of humanitarian aid
Sources say the escalation in American policy aims to isolate extremists and put pressure on the Syrian regime
The table facing the entrance of the Firdoss cafe in the center of Damascus still has its regular customers – a theater director, a poet, a musician and a novelist
Regime delegates focus on fighting terrorism, while opposition concerned with transitional government
U.S. official says the balance of power is in favor of the regime
Caution towards the talks reflects a lack of faith in the international community
Below is the speech of Assad’s Foreign Minister at the Geneva 2 talks as published by SANA, the official news agency
Coalition wants to postpone Geneva II talks by two weeks
Adnan Abdulrazak writes for The Syrian Observer on the businessman who mediated between the Syrian regime and major superpowers
Assad appeared at ease, wearing a navy blue suit and smiling regularly throughout the 45-minute interview
Geneva II should pave way for interim governing body with executive powers
Official tells BBC that the allies said the group will lose credibility if they don’t attend
